Zoleka Mandela, Granddaughter Of Nelson Mandela, Dies Of Cancer at 43
Zoleka Mandela, a noted author and the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, CBS News reports. She was 43.
Her family confirmed that she passed “surrounded by friends and family” on Monday (September 25) after an 11-year battle with the disease. Last week, she was admitted to the hospital for further treatment after scans revealed "significant" progress in the cancer that affected her hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord.”
“Zoleka passed away... surrounded by friends and family," said family spokesperson Zwelabo Mandela.
The statement also shared the family’s “sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her.”
Mandela, who was the youngest daughter of Zindzi Mandela, and her first husband, Zwelibanzi Hlongwane, was honored with a tribute from the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Facebook.
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zoleka Mandela, tragically last night,” the post read.
“We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the foundation. When her inspiring memoir When Hope Whispers was published she graciously signed copies for all our staff and ran a leadership session for the staff around the book,” the post continued.
On social media, Mandela documented her journey with cancer. She shared her last diagnosis of Bone Metastasis in August 2022 and how it had spread to her other organs.
“I’ve had a sore back for more than a month now, and recently consulted with my GP when I could no longer tolerate the excruciating pain in my left rib. I went for an x-ray of my chest and rib a few days ago - I have a pathological fracture and swelling caused by cancer,” her post read. “My Medical Oncologist has scheduled me for a CT scan and bone scan, to determine whether I have cancer in the remaining parts of my body. From what she’s told me, cancer in the bones cannot be eradicated nor can it be cured.”
“I have Bone Metastasis. I’ve just had my CT scan and awaiting my results, I don’t even have the words to articulate my thoughts and feelings, the words to describe how scared I am right now,” her post continued. “ What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around, I may not get to live my life as a survivor?”
Mandela was also candid about her struggles with depression and the sexual abuse she experienced as a child As an activist, she raised the issue of better road safety in her native country following the tragic death her 13-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident in 2010.
Zoleka was named one of BBC’s 100 Women, a list that honors influential and inspirational women from around the world.
She told the outlet at the time: “It is important for women to speak out, get tested, perform their own examinations — silence cancer before it silences you.”
In 2016, she was named one of BBC’s 100 Women, “a list that honors influential and inspirational women from around the world” for her courage, activism, and advocacy for women’s health.
Mandela is survived by her four children.
